One of the most argued topics throughout history is the conflict of law versus morality. It is hoped that law and morality would work together hand in hand. Unfortunately, there are many instances where law is corrupted and subdues morality. Even in the modern age injustices caused by the law seems like a common occurrence. Literary figures like John Steinbeck and Mark Twain believed that it was important to remain devoted to one's morality, or find new morals when law is corrupted. Through Twain and Steinbeck's most influential works Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Grapes of Wrath clearly show the authors' view on the significance of morality. Examples in the novels include the depiction of suffering caused by the law, the idea of …show more content…
Twain and Steinbeck describe the suffering inflicted by the law on the innocent often. In The Grapes of Wrath, the law and banks are fueled by greed. When the farmland is no longer profitable, the banks uproot and destroy hundreds of families and the law allows it. "Sure, cried the tenant men, but it's …show more content…
Religious laws are considered sacred and are worshiped by many. Yet a religious leader himself sees the corruption of religion, and what would be considered a "rebellion" against the religion he teaches through the eyes of the worshipers. "Before I knowed it, I was sayin' out loud, 'The hell with it! There ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing.'" (Steinbeck 32). Steinbeck is trying to say that "precious" and "sacred" laws are corrupt and immoral themselves, and that no one should be judges as a sinner or saint. Using Casey, Steinbeck is exposing religious laws for their hypocrisy and corruption and calling for a change in mind. Casey is similar to Qandeel Baloch. In Pakistan, women are extremely oppressed by society and government for religious reasons, Baloch challenged these ideals through her rebellion on social media before her death. "Qandeel's videos were not very different from the thousands of others shared by 20-something social media celebrities across the Internet. She pouted into the camera, discussed her hairstyles and shared cooing confessions about her celebrity crushes. But in Pakistan, her flirty antics pushed the boundaries of what is acceptable" (Associated Press
When times get tough, many people turn away from everyone and everything. It must be part of human nature to adopt an independent attitude when faced with troubles. It is understandable because most people do not want to trouble their loved ones when they are going through problems, so it is easier to turn away than stick together. Maybe their family is going through a rough patch and they reason they would be better off on their own. This path of independence and solitude may not always be the best option for them or their family, though. Often times it is more beneficial for everyone to work through the problem together. It is not always the easiest or most desirable option, but most times it is the most efficient and it will get results in the long run. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck makes this point very clear through several characters. Many characters throughout
Ernest Hemmingway once described a novel by Mark Twain as, “…it is the ‘one book’ from which ‘all modern American literature’ came from” (Railton). This story of fiction, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a remarkable story about a young boy growing up in a society that influences and pressures people into doing the so-called “right thing.” It is not very difficult to witness the parallels between the society Huck has grown up in and the society that influences the choices of people living today. However, what is it that gives society the power to draw guidelines to define the norms, trends, and what is morally right and wrong in life? Is it always the best choice to listen to your consciences, which is under the influence of society, or is it sometimes just as important to listen to your heart and what you think is right?
"You cannot legislate morality" (Goldwater). Since the beginnings of civilization, the debate between legality versus morality has been highlighted. What is considered legal does not always coincide with people's moral values. Likewise, others argue that one set of morals cannot lay the law of the land. This fierce debate is a prominent theme found within two of America's most acclaimed novels, Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. In both novels, the characters are seen as crooked convicts and fugitives in the eyes of the law alone; however, the readers come to love and root for these same characters throughout the novels because of the author's portrayal of their sense of morality leading them to break unjust laws. Furthermore, not only is this take on the strength of morality over legality found within the novels, but also within modern articles that criticize the immorality of the government throughout history. Consequently,
The opening scene’s setting gives a premise to the overall gloomy and dusty lifestyles of the Okies. The whole time period is already gloomy from the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, but the description of the bland Oklahoma landscape is sad. Steinbeck even wrote about dust like it was an ominous homewrecker. Dust and the wind and the elements in general are given all of the power in this chapter and in future chapters. Such dominant influence of nature suggests the family structure of the Joads and other Okies to be unstable. The environment governs the family, making them move, causing them to seek jobs due to poor land and subsequent lack of work.
Throughout the novel, The Grapes of Wrath there are intercalary chapters. The purpose of these chapters are to give the readers insight and background on the setting, time, place and even history of the novel. They help blend the themes, symbols, motifs of the novel, such as the saving power of family and fellowship, man’s inhumanity to man, and even the multiplying effects of selfishness. These chapters show the social and economic crisis flooding the nation at the time, and the plight of the American farmer becoming difficult. The contrast between these chapters helps readers look at not just the storyline of the Joad family, but farmers during the time and also the condition of America during the Dust Bowl. Steinbeck uses these chapters to show that the story is not only limited to the Joad family,
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck had many comparisons from the movie and the book. In 1939, this story was to have some of the readers against the ones that kept the American people in poverty held responsible for their actions. This unique story was about the Joad’s family, who were migrant workers looking for a good decent job. They were also farmers from Oklahoma that are now striving to find some good work and success for their family in California. This novel was one of Steinbeck’s best work he has ever done. It was in fact an Academy Award movie in 1940. Both the movie and the novel are one of Steinbeck’s greatest masterpieces on both the filmmaking and the novel writing. Both the novel and film are mainly the same in the beginning of the story and towards the end. There were some few main points that Steinbeck took out from the book and didn’t mention them in the movie. “The Grapes of Wrath is a
Matt, Mon Assignment: Grapes of Wrath D/M/Y United States History Since 1865 The Grapes of Wrath is a very interesting novel. Throughout the novel, the author does not provide a lot of descriptions of the Joad’s family characteristics; however, the action of those characters speak for itself. One of the most astonishing character that I find really interesting is, Ma Joad. After reading the book, I felt so sad and depressed of what she had to go through in her life.
As you approach your home, you realize the empty barn and the crooked house sagging close to the barren ground. A closer view unveils an empty, dried up well, an emaciated cat limping past the caved in porch, a tree with "leaves tattered and scraggly as a molting chicken" (23), a stack of rotting untouched lumber and cracked, jagged window panes reflecting the desolate land abroad. This description portrays the Joad family's home suffering from abandonment when they leave their country home life for better opportunities in the west. Steinbeck portrays the plight of the migrant Joad family from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life during the Great Depression in The Grapes of Wrath.
The Grapes of Wrath is a novel written by John Steinbeck, which focuses on an Oklahoman family that is evicted from their farm during an era of depression caused by the Dust Bowl. The Joad family alongside thousands of other refugees (also affected by the dirty thirties) migrates west towards California seeking employment and a new home. John Steinbeck’s purpose for writing this novel was to inform his audience of how many of their fellow Americans were being mistreated and of the tribulations they faced in order to attain regain what they once had. As a result, The Grapes of Wrath triggered its audience’s sympathy for the plight of the Dust Bowl farmers and their families.
In literature as in life, people often find that they must make difficult choices in order to survive. The reasons behind their decisions and the results of their subsequent actions affect our opinion of them. In the Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, the author portrayed situations where two main characters became involved. The nature of their choices, the reasons behind their decisions, and the results that followed affected them greatly. However, the choices that they made were surmounted successfully. Ma Joad and Tom Joad are two strong characters who overcame laborious predicaments. Their powerful characteristics helped to encourage those that were struggling.
Using warfare and politics as examples, Thoreau further claims that the government trains dog-like soldiers and politicians focused on upholding the law when they should be upholding the morals of humanity. Indeed, enslaving one-sixth of Mexico’s population – and accepting the government as one which governs slaves – should be enough to establish a civil duty for Americans to rebel against such atrocities. Continuing with the error of expediency, Thoreau directs the argument, which states expediency should not overpower justice, toward the American audience. More closely, that doing the convenient thing even though it may be considered immoral or harmful to others is a habit which should be broken in the houses of American individuals. A paramount example of such expediency is as follows: “If I have unjustly wrested a plank from a drowning man, I must restore it to him though I drown myself.” According to Thoreau, a plethora of activists reside in the United States, however, a select few take the initiative to make a positive difference in the abolitionist
People often give up everything that have for others, not because they have a lot to give, but because they know what it feels like to have nothing.
Courts of Men’s Hearts: Code and Law in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mocking Bird. (1991). Literary Companion Series. Ed. Terry O’Neill. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Incorporated, 2000. 71-83. Print.
Grapes of Wrath is the true American novel about the migration of the people in the Midwest during the dust bowl. It is full of hope that is built up by the characters, the Joades, and how they deal with the problems they dealt with on their travels to California. Throughout the novel there are multiple scenes that show that people like the Joades can make it through almost any situation. The book is full of scenes that bring a sense of hope, however, the conclusion scene of the book takes all of this hope away. Steinbeck’s chose for the conclusion of his novel has been criticized numerous times. It was even excluded from the film, but that was partially because Rose of Sharon allowed a stranger to drink from her breast. Three criticisms of the ending of Grapes of Wrath are as following, the idea of Rose of Sharon’s baby being born as a stillborn, the rising floodwaters, and the image of the breastfeeding being the end of the novel.
Typically, a criminal is someone who breaks a law established by an organized society. Historically, law-makers become unethical making laws that no longer reflect the majorities’ moral code, but instead reflect the society’s morally perverted standards. In this corrupted society, the criminal becomes someone who uses the new laws to evade punishment for moral atrocities. The Handmaids Tail and A Study in Scarlet, argue that breaking moral laws defines a true criminal more than breaking state laws. This is illustrated by the main character’s views, physical appearance, and the use of Christianity.